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 Backyard Bacteria
How would you feel if you went to the doctor with a simple infection and the usual antibiotics didn't work...or the stronger antibiotics didn't work … or if no antibiotic worked? PBS' innovative RX FOR SURVIVAL series explores this very topic in the episode "Rise of the Superbugs." Using the Rx for Survival Web site and other Web-based resources, as well as watching the six-part Rx for Survival program, students will study bacteria and how they can become resistant to different anti-bacterial soaps and cleansers. In this lesson, students will also learn how to safely culture bacteria, how to handle them properly, and how to manipulate conditions to make some samples resistant to common cleaning agents. Then, having developed an understanding of how resistance can develop, the students will explore how unintentional misuse of antibiotics can lead to the real rise of superbugs.
Grade Level:
Grades 7 to 9
Time Allotment:
four or five 40-minute periods
Subject Matter:
Life Science, Health
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate safe ways to handle bacteria
- Prepare agar plates
- Grow bacterial cultures
- Identify different kinds of bacterial colonies
- Devise a controlled experiment
Standards:
From the Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning (MCREL): The 4th edition of Content Knowledge available on-line at:
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/search.asp
- MCREL SCIENCE, Standard 11, Level III
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/standardDetails.asp?subjectID=2&standardID=11
1. Knows that an experiment must be repeated many times and yield consistent results before the results are accepted as correct
- MCREL SCIENCE, Standard 12, Level III
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/standardDetails.asp?subjectID=2&standardID=12
7. Knows that scientific inquiry includes evaluating results of scientific investigations, experiments, observations, theoretical and mathematical models, and explanations proposed by other scientists (e.g., reviewing experimental procedures, examining evidence, identifying faulty reasoning, identifying statements that go beyond the evidence, suggesting alternative explanations)
- MCREL SCIENCE, Standard 5, Level III
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/standardDetails.asp?subjectID=2&standardID=5
4. Knows that multicellular organisms have a variety of specialized cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems that perform specialized functions (e.g., digestion, respiration, reproduction, circulation, excretion, movement, control and coordination, protection from disease)
8. Knows that disease in organisms can be caused by intrinsic failures of the system or infection by other organisms
- MCREL SCIENCE, Standard 6, Level III
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/standardDetails.asp?subjectID=2&standardID=6
Understands relationships among organisms and their physical environment
- MCREL LANGUAGE ARTS, Level 4, Standard 7
http://www.mcrel.org/compendium/Benchmark.asp?
SubjectID=7&StandardID=7
Uses reading skills and strategies to understand and interpret a variety of informational texts
This lesson was prepared by: Robert Berwick
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